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Description
Veron Round Two

As the cold bitter air bit at Blaine’s exposed skin he wished he were once more cool and protected in the forest now so far beneath him. He felt his head tilt a little to the side ready to once again look back at the path he had traveled, at this weakness Blaine gritted his teeth and moved on stiffening his neck to lock his focus. The cliffs were incredibly steep a struggle for anyone to climb, Blaine had been traveling for longer than he cared to remember and thankfully found himself closer to the snowy peak. Unsurprisingly the temperatures were dropping quickly with each step, each stone was covered with a thin layer of frost and ice making each step that little bit more dangerous than the last. Another gust of wind blew against him and he felt his robes pulling and swinging from the winds strength his now tattered banner began to dance in the wind and pull eagerly on Blaine's shoulder, his very resolve appeared to be tested at every corner.  Next was his patience as he spotted a  slow creeping shadow form in the corned of his eye.
“You are making good progress Blaine.” said Tilah, “You’re here only to direct me Tilah don’t attempt frivolous conversation once again.” Blaine grabbed a sharp rock and winced with pain as he struggled to pull himself to the ledge above. He examined his hand once on safe ground and sighed at the crimson liquid forming a puddle on his skin, he looked on with both pain and relief as the warmth of the blood heated his hands momentarily.
Blaine reached into his robes and removed his ragged old cloth once again, as Blaine wiped the blood from his hand he looked around at the island of Veron and the cliffs he had now found himself standing upon. Again Blaine realized he was alone and lost in this unknown land of mystery, he looked at Tilah hesitant still to ask for help but having stumbled upon his first contestant without Tilah’s guidance he had decided to trust it. “What way now? The quickest way remember.” Tilah made an unusual noise Blaine could only assume was a laugh. It sent a shiver down his spine and forced a sneer across his face, he watched on as his Zleet floated in front of him looking around for a moment before finally pointing at a collection of rocks. They huddled close together and stretched higher still toward the peak, Blaine felt his stomach drop a little as he realized this trek was not over yet.

The cliffs were steep and jagged more so as they got higher, but they proved easy to climb as many of the ledges were remarkably straight and even underfoot. A perfect ledge to move across before having to ascend the cliff face once again. “Climb here and you will be near the mountains peak. You should prepare yourself the winds up there never end and the cold will be almost unbearable. Blaine growled a little at Tilah’s remark he couldn’t feel anything in his hands anymore as the cold had turned them a horrible sort of blue colour.
Blaine had to agree with Tilah and decided to try and conserve his heat, he wrapped himself with his arms placing his hands firmly between his arms and chest. Unfortunately as Blaine pressed his hands close the bitter cold of his armour caused him to quickly release. He looked at his hands struggling to regain their colour and found that he was now shivering. All the while a smoking shadow watched on, a dark silhouette standing firm obviously unaffected by the weather observed as Blaine struggled for heat. “Perhaps a rest is required Blaine.” “No!” Blaine barked back, “I have a job to do. People’s lives depend on me. Someone was already sacrificed for my cause there is no turning back now.” Blaine forced his feet forward, he felt his body shake and tremble desperate for heat, for rest but he pressed himself on.
The wind pushed on again also knocking Blaine a little off balance, stumbling forward and off balance he found himself leaning against the stone of the cliff the frost was an unwelcoming host. Looking up at the disappearing peak Blaine gritted his teeth and begun his ascent.

Blaine’s every step was a relentless struggle against the uncompromising wind, the cold of the mountain and razor sharpness of the stone. As Blaine continued upward he felt his resolve fall from him, he rested a moment the coldness of the cliff comforting him for once in his few seconds of rest. “Why?” Blaine’s eyes slowly opened as he found another irritation appear, “Why are you doing this?” Raising his hand once again to move upward Blaine answered “Is this not my purpose?” “only you have that answer.” Blaine pulled himself up on the ledge of the cliff. “You just have to realize why you were sent here.” Blaine groaned as he struggled to heat himself in the snow that had started upon his arrival on the peak. “I was sent for the secrets of Veron, it’s my mission and my purpose.”

The ledge that Blaine had pulled himself onto revealed a large naturally formed bridge from the cliffs to the snowy peak of the mountain. The bridge was formed of collapsed rocks and appeared to exist for no other reason than they had all become stuck trying to travel the same narrow pass at the same time. This meant although the ground was solid enough to cross the path was hardly smooth and pitfalls lay all along the path. The thick snow of the mountain was gently drifting outwards and reached Blaine as a flake landed on his hand and melted Blaine became engulfed in flames. “enough is enough, I need to move quicker to beat the others I must have heat.” Blaine smirked a little as his body came back to life with the comforting kiss of the flames heat. After indulging himself he moved on refreshed and rejuvenated but still alight. Tilah followed on making sure to keep its distance from the unnatural flames.
“What do you expect to find here?” it asked “shouldn’t you know? I assumed your species were here to guard it.” the zleet stopped and looked on as Blaine continued past “I guard nothing, I’m a guide a test even. I wonder if you know any truths about what lies inside at all.” Blaine quickly turned heel and returned to the zleet “truth? Rumours? What do you mean? What is in the mountain Tilah?" "I can’t help you, only you can know. You need to find out for yourself, why were you sent here?”
Blaine spat at the air waving his arms as if beating away Tilah’s words “this is trickery! You’re just trying to stop me.” Blaine’s flames burst a little as he shouted at Tilah. Blaines stare losed its target for a second as he caught sight of the land below. Far into the distance  he saw the silhouette of a tower and his heart stopped for a second. He remembered why he was here, why he was really here, and for who. He had to know he wasn't wasting time "I am the only one who can reach Veron that's why I'm here." Tilah came a little closer still careful to avoid the unnatural flames that engulfed Blaine "You're the peoples champion. The shinning light of your kingdom, more have fallen by your hand than any other but your king hates you." Blaine face contorted as if he had swallowed something of disgusting flavour "and I him, that is no secret." "So why did he send you? What do you really think awaits in the mountain of Veron."

Blaine lost himself in thought for a moment ideas raced through his mind his certainty was gone "The king cared little for the people  but he has sent me here for them. I thought it was because of his sister, she suffers the same as them, but why now? why does their curse begin only as Veron pulls itself from the ground" Blaine thought it through and caught a glimpse of Tilahs smoke and turned his attention to it. "You, you know why don't you. Why is Veron floating? what have I been sent here for? The owman in the forest said something about money, did she think there was treasure in the mountain? I'm not here for gold!" “she’s here!” “Answer me!” Blaine’s body almost erupted as he roared at Tilah, “You have been discovered. The tournament continues.” Blaine’s hand tore the sword from its sheath, he almost charged at Tilah when his ears pricked.
His flames disappeared and the cold wind rushed Blaine’s body desperate to steal the heat from him the heat escaping felt as though his skin was torn apart by razor sharp needles. Blaine spun quickly and found a saurian standing in the way he came with a zleet by her side. Blaine’s eyes were quickly drawn to the large powerful crossbow in her hands, he had never seen a crossbow such as this but knew it was not to be taken lightly. “I’d really appreciate if you could surrender now.”
Blaine remained still his stare locked onto Jiorea’s she was no innocent, she had a crossbow, sword and from what Blaine could gather a dagger. She may not have been a warrior but she was no stranger to the darkness of violence maybe even death, she must have beaten someone else to be here, that told him enough about her. “I don’t really like violence, so if you could just surrender here then we can all be done with this silly competition as quickly as possible.”
Blaine still had not moved, his body appeared frozen now as snow had gathered on his strong frame and sword. “I don’t surrender.” said Blaine “Uh huh, it’s just I sort of have a crossbow aimed at you and you only have a sword. If you don’t surrender I’m afraid you may end up getting shot.”
Blaine looked again at the crossbow and the sharp bolt ready to tear through him, he looked at Jiorea and how even in this cold her hands remained completely still. It had been decided, too much was at stake for him to falter now he beat back his doubts and realzed what had to be done. “I hope that you surrender, I’ll try not to kill you.” Jiorea’s eyes widened as Blaine spoke, “oh crap” Jiorea quickly pulled the trigger on the crossbow, the bolt exploded out the crossbow and whipped itself through the air. Blaine vanished from view and before Jiorea had time to find him a bolt of lightning struck Jiorea knocking her off her feet. Blaine quickly appeared in Jiorea’s place and kicked the crossbow aside, he moved quickly and didn’t hesitate in attempting to run her through with his sword. Jiorea was just quick enough to deflect with her sword and she attempted a counter attack with her dagger.
The daggers blade narrowly missed Blaine’s chest but tore a piece of skin from his side. The stinging pain was intesified by the heat of his blood burning down his skin as he quickly leapt back. Jiorea hurried to her feet and lunged at Blaine with her sword, the blade meets with Blaine’s and he returns the blow with one of his own. As Jiorea struggles back she quickly leaps into the air, her incredibly strong legs and athletic prowess allow her to land behind Blaine without hassle Blaine was no stranger to the Saurian race and fully expected such a move. He let her pass, his side was cut and the cold was bitig him hard he struggled to keep focus as questions raced through his mind. She runs to the crossbow and quickly grabs it as she runs off. Blaine attempts to follow after her but the wind has now been replaced with an extra blanket of snow, Jiorea had all but vanished.

Blaine followed suit and quickly ran into thick white of the falling snow, he dashed along leaping and bounding over the pitfalls moving further away from the cliffs and closer to the mountains peak. He stopped suddenly and looked at the ground, waiting, listening he stood there. His heart pounded harder still in his chest, the Saurian was close he could sense it but where? Blaine waited hoping that she would make the first move, his patience brought rewards. To the left he heard a crossbow bolt being loaded quickly turning to the side Blaine noticed in a gap of the snow the saurian loading her weapon.
He moved his hand a blast of force knocked the Saurian over, her body collapsed to the ground sliding through the snow. Blaine threw a fireball in her direction, blinded now by the snow it was guided by little more than hope, as it traveled through the air Blaine ran behind. The fireball crashed into the ground a matter of feet away from the saurian’s body kicking up rock and snow.
Jiorea was unharmed but blinded by the shrapnel kicked in the air, this moment of confusion gave Blaine an opening, gripping his sword ready Blaine took it. The rubble was cut aside as Blaine’s sword burst through, the tip scratched Jiorea's scaly skin before she stopped the sword and delivered a swift quick in return. The kick landed hard and Blaine crumpled in half his fall to the ground was preceded by a hard cough. Jiorea moved her sword to Blaine’s throat ready to make her final move, Blaine hated himself for giving her that moment. With his recovery Blaine touched the sword and sent a large shock through the blade. The Saurian’s body twitched involuntarily while Blaine hurried to his feet, without pause he delivered a punch. Jiorea ducked and punched back Blaine ignored the pain and dropped his elbow hard on her face. Jiorea fell to her knee given her already low position, Blaine followed with his sword blocked once again by Jiorea’s. Her dagger quickly swiped and lunged at Blaine desperately trying to have him back off so she can recover. Blaine was relentless however and continued on trying to break through Jiorea’s defenses’ never allowing her back to her feet.

In a foolish move Blaine allowed Jiorea to get a grip on the floor with her feet, before he realized his error Jiorea lunged. The strength from her legs sent her flying fast off the ground gaining more height with every second, tackling Blaine on her way, the two soared in the air before crashing to the ground. They rolled for a moment before both bodies stopped, Jiorea on top of Blaine her quick wit noticing the opportunity raised her dagger. As she attempted to strike Blaine he vanished, the trick was no surprise to Jiorea now and rather than be surprised she got to her feet and quickly leapt into the blinding white surrounding them. Blaine was once again standing in her place, alone and unsure of her location.
Blaine moved into the white also trying to hide his location, he failed. Jiorea landed shortly in front of Blaine without warning, she began launching a flurry of attacks at Blaine, he struggled to keep up with her never mind  counter any. When a chance finally presented itself Blaine took it, and reveled in it. As he launched back his own flurry of attacks, Jiorea moved back and leapt in the air hoping for her sanctuary of snow she sought some respite from the raging battle. To Jiorea's horror The blizzard had lifted during the scuffle and her attempt to evade Blaine failed as he gave chase. His patience was not what it had been and he was desperate for the fight to finish.
Jiorea landed on a nearby ledge and displayed an impressive range of acrobatic skills as she ascended the mountains face using small ledges and other cracks to give her jumps leverage. Blaine following behind by teleporting to where he thought she was next going to appear. Finally he got one right he vented his frustration by punching Jiorea hard in the chest knocking her clean off the mountains wall. As she fell to the ground Blaine appeared beneath her his sword ready and his stare focused on her fall.

Jiorea outstretched her arms and her feathers slowed her descent, She landed a short distance from Blaine. As he foolishly raced toward her she quickly pulled something from a pocket and threw it, Blaine strained to look at the item and noticed it was a small potions vial, he outstretched his hand and the vial veered off to the side. It smashed against a collection of rocks and as it smashed the powder exploded. Blinded by the light neither of the pair noticed the rocks shake loose and come smashing into the bridge they were standing on.
The ground beneath them began to tremble and shake, Blaine knew in that instance what was going to happen as did Jiorea. The two of them quickly ran toward the mountain hoping to reach the end of the bridge in time. As Jiorea overtook Blaine a large piece of the mountain brook loose and began hurtling toward her. As it came closer Blaine teleported over and grabbed her before teleporting the two of them to the mountains cave. When they reappeared Jiorea attempted to stab Blaine with her dagger but this time as she lunged Blaine grabbed her arm harder than before and twisted to the point of breaking, as her sword flailed around Blaine knocked it out her hand with his own before slamming her hard against the caves wall. His eyes were removed of mercy and all she stared back into were cold emotionless eyes the deep blue piercing their way into her. His cold sharp blade pressed against the saurian’s scaled neck and he whispered the words “do you surrender?”

Back at the cliff the two zleet were next to each other and watched as the last of the rocks collapsed to the ground below. Tilah looked on and noticed the pair continue to fight in the mountains cave. "You help your charge too much Tilah." The dark shadow turned to face the other "Anything above giving directions is too much for you." "we have a job to do and you are confusing things. We can not jeopardize things now. I knew it was a mistake letting you guide that one." Tilah moved its gaze from the shadow and back at the cave "thankfully the decision was not yours to make."

Jiorea looked down at the blade and back at Blaine as she looked ready to say no Blaine pushed the blade a little more until a bead of blood began to drip down her neck. At that Jiorea hastily agreed by nodding her head, Blaine gave a sigh of relief and pulled away his sword. “thank you.” he said. Blaine replaced his sword and stood back from the saurian “are you okay?” Jiorea pushed herself off the wall and quickly looked herself over, “Fine considering I just lost.” Tilah appeared beside Blaine and looked down at the tunnel in the cave. “you have won again Blaine it is time to proceed. There is only one way from here.”
Blaine sneered at Tilah and looked down at the tunnel before back at his shadowed guide, “I’m going nowhere until you answer my questions. Why is this island floating and what exactly is down that tunnel?”

Description
Veron Round Two

As the cold bitter air bit at Blaine’s exposed skin he wished he were once more cool and protected in the forest now so far beneath him. He felt his head tilt a little to the side ready to once again look back at the path he had traveled, at this weakness Blaine gritted his teeth and moved on stiffening his neck to lock his focus. The cliffs were incredibly steep a struggle for anyone to climb, Blaine had been traveling for longer than he cared to remember and thankfully found himself closer to the snowy peak. Unsurprisingly the temperatures were dropping quickly with each step, each stone was covered with a thin layer of frost and ice making each step that little bit more dangerous than the last. Another gust of wind blew against him and he felt his robes pulling and swinging from the winds strength his now tattered banner began to dance in the wind and pull eagerly on Blaine's shoulder, his very resolve appeared to be tested at every corner.  Next was his patience as he spotted a  slow creeping shadow form in the corned of his eye.
“You are making good progress Blaine.” said Tilah, “You’re here only to direct me Tilah don’t attempt frivolous conversation once again.” Blaine grabbed a sharp rock and winced with pain as he struggled to pull himself to the ledge above. He examined his hand once on safe ground and sighed at the crimson liquid forming a puddle on his skin, he looked on with both pain and relief as the warmth of the blood heated his hands momentarily.
Blaine reached into his robes and removed his ragged old cloth once again, as Blaine wiped the blood from his hand he looked around at the island of Veron and the cliffs he had now found himself standing upon. Again Blaine realized he was alone and lost in this unknown land of mystery, he looked at Tilah hesitant still to ask for help but having stumbled upon his first contestant without Tilah’s guidance he had decided to trust it. “What way now? The quickest way remember.” Tilah made an unusual noise Blaine could only assume was a laugh. It sent a shiver down his spine and forced a sneer across his face, he watched on as his Zleet floated in front of him looking around for a moment before finally pointing at a collection of rocks. They huddled close together and stretched higher still toward the peak, Blaine felt his stomach drop a little as he realized this trek was not over yet.

The cliffs were steep and jagged more so as they got higher, but they proved easy to climb as many of the ledges were remarkably straight and even underfoot. A perfect ledge to move across before having to ascend the cliff face once again. “Climb here and you will be near the mountains peak. You should prepare yourself the winds up there never end and the cold will be almost unbearable. Blaine growled a little at Tilah’s remark he couldn’t feel anything in his hands anymore as the cold had turned them a horrible sort of blue colour.
Blaine had to agree with Tilah and decided to try and conserve his heat, he wrapped himself with his arms placing his hands firmly between his arms and chest. Unfortunately as Blaine pressed his hands close the bitter cold of his armour caused him to quickly release. He looked at his hands struggling to regain their colour and found that he was now shivering. All the while a smoking shadow watched on, a dark silhouette standing firm obviously unaffected by the weather observed as Blaine struggled for heat. “Perhaps a rest is required Blaine.” “No!” Blaine barked back, “I have a job to do. People’s lives depend on me. Someone was already sacrificed for my cause there is no turning back now.” Blaine forced his feet forward, he felt his body shake and tremble desperate for heat, for rest but he pressed himself on.
The wind pushed on again also knocking Blaine a little off balance, stumbling forward and off balance he found himself leaning against the stone of the cliff the frost was an unwelcoming host. Looking up at the disappearing peak Blaine gritted his teeth and begun his ascent.

Blaine’s every step was a relentless struggle against the uncompromising wind, the cold of the mountain and razor sharpness of the stone. As Blaine continued upward he felt his resolve fall from him, he rested a moment the coldness of the cliff comforting him for once in his few seconds of rest. “Why?” Blaine’s eyes slowly opened as he found another irritation appear, “Why are you doing this?” Raising his hand once again to move upward Blaine answered “Is this not my purpose?” “only you have that answer.” Blaine pulled himself up on the ledge of the cliff. “You just have to realize why you were sent here.” Blaine groaned as he struggled to heat himself in the snow that had started upon his arrival on the peak. “I was sent for the secrets of Veron, it’s my mission and my purpose.”

The ledge that Blaine had pulled himself onto revealed a large naturally formed bridge from the cliffs to the snowy peak of the mountain. The bridge was formed of collapsed rocks and appeared to exist for no other reason than they had all become stuck trying to travel the same narrow pass at the same time. This meant although the ground was solid enough to cross the path was hardly smooth and pitfalls lay all along the path. The thick snow of the mountain was gently drifting outwards and reached Blaine as a flake landed on his hand and melted Blaine became engulfed in flames. “enough is enough, I need to move quicker to beat the others I must have heat.” Blaine smirked a little as his body came back to life with the comforting kiss of the flames heat. After indulging himself he moved on refreshed and rejuvenated but still alight. Tilah followed on making sure to keep its distance from the unnatural flames.
“What do you expect to find here?” it asked “shouldn’t you know? I assumed your species were here to guard it.” the zleet stopped and looked on as Blaine continued past “I guard nothing, I’m a guide a test even. I wonder if you know any truths about what lies inside at all.” Blaine quickly turned heel and returned to the zleet “truth? Rumours? What do you mean? What is in the mountain Tilah?" "I can’t help you, only you can know. You need to find out for yourself, why were you sent here?”
Blaine spat at the air waving his arms as if beating away Tilah’s words “this is trickery! You’re just trying to stop me.” Blaine’s flames burst a little as he shouted at Tilah. Blaines stare losed its target for a second as he caught sight of the land below. Far into the distance  he saw the silhouette of a tower and his heart stopped for a second. He remembered why he was here, why he was really here, and for who. He had to know he wasn't wasting time "I am the only one who can reach Veron that's why I'm here." Tilah came a little closer still careful to avoid the unnatural flames that engulfed Blaine "You're the peoples champion. The shinning light of your kingdom, more have fallen by your hand than any other but your king hates you." Blaine face contorted as if he had swallowed something of disgusting flavour "and I him, that is no secret." "So why did he send you? What do you really think awaits in the mountain of Veron."

Blaine lost himself in thought for a moment ideas raced through his mind his certainty was gone "The king cared little for the people  but he has sent me here for them. I thought it was because of his sister, she suffers the same as them, but why now? why does their curse begin only as Veron pulls itself from the ground" Blaine thought it through and caught a glimpse of Tilahs smoke and turned his attention to it. "You, you know why don't you. Why is Veron floating? what have I been sent here for? The owman in the forest said something about money, did she think there was treasure in the mountain? I'm not here for gold!" “she’s here!” “Answer me!” Blaine’s body almost erupted as he roared at Tilah, “You have been discovered. The tournament continues.” Blaine’s hand tore the sword from its sheath, he almost charged at Tilah when his ears pricked.
His flames disappeared and the cold wind rushed Blaine’s body desperate to steal the heat from him the heat escaping felt as though his skin was torn apart by razor sharp needles. Blaine spun quickly and found a saurian standing in the way he came with a zleet by her side. Blaine’s eyes were quickly drawn to the large powerful crossbow in her hands, he had never seen a crossbow such as this but knew it was not to be taken lightly. “I’d really appreciate if you could surrender now.”
Blaine remained still his stare locked onto Jiorea’s she was no innocent, she had a crossbow, sword and from what Blaine could gather a dagger. She may not have been a warrior but she was no stranger to the darkness of violence maybe even death, she must have beaten someone else to be here, that told him enough about her. “I don’t really like violence, so if you could just surrender here then we can all be done with this silly competition as quickly as possible.”
Blaine still had not moved, his body appeared frozen now as snow had gathered on his strong frame and sword. “I don’t surrender.” said Blaine “Uh huh, it’s just I sort of have a crossbow aimed at you and you only have a sword. If you don’t surrender I’m afraid you may end up getting shot.”
Blaine looked again at the crossbow and the sharp bolt ready to tear through him, he looked at Jiorea and how even in this cold her hands remained completely still. It had been decided, too much was at stake for him to falter now he beat back his doubts and realzed what had to be done. “I hope that you surrender, I’ll try not to kill you.” Jiorea’s eyes widened as Blaine spoke, “oh crap” Jiorea quickly pulled the trigger on the crossbow, the bolt exploded out the crossbow and whipped itself through the air. Blaine vanished from view and before Jiorea had time to find him a bolt of lightning struck Jiorea knocking her off her feet. Blaine quickly appeared in Jiorea’s place and kicked the crossbow aside, he moved quickly and didn’t hesitate in attempting to run her through with his sword. Jiorea was just quick enough to deflect with her sword and she attempted a counter attack with her dagger.
The daggers blade narrowly missed Blaine’s chest but tore a piece of skin from his side. The stinging pain was intesified by the heat of his blood burning down his skin as he quickly leapt back. Jiorea hurried to her feet and lunged at Blaine with her sword, the blade meets with Blaine’s and he returns the blow with one of his own. As Jiorea struggles back she quickly leaps into the air, her incredibly strong legs and athletic prowess allow her to land behind Blaine without hassle Blaine was no stranger to the Saurian race and fully expected such a move. He let her pass, his side was cut and the cold was bitig him hard he struggled to keep focus as questions raced through his mind. She runs to the crossbow and quickly grabs it as she runs off. Blaine attempts to follow after her but the wind has now been replaced with an extra blanket of snow, Jiorea had all but vanished.

Blaine followed suit and quickly ran into thick white of the falling snow, he dashed along leaping and bounding over the pitfalls moving further away from the cliffs and closer to the mountains peak. He stopped suddenly and looked at the ground, waiting, listening he stood there. His heart pounded harder still in his chest, the Saurian was close he could sense it but where? Blaine waited hoping that she would make the first move, his patience brought rewards. To the left he heard a crossbow bolt being loaded quickly turning to the side Blaine noticed in a gap of the snow the saurian loading her weapon.
He moved his hand a blast of force knocked the Saurian over, her body collapsed to the ground sliding through the snow. Blaine threw a fireball in her direction, blinded now by the snow it was guided by little more than hope, as it traveled through the air Blaine ran behind. The fireball crashed into the ground a matter of feet away from the saurian’s body kicking up rock and snow.
Jiorea was unharmed but blinded by the shrapnel kicked in the air, this moment of confusion gave Blaine an opening, gripping his sword ready Blaine took it. The rubble was cut aside as Blaine’s sword burst through, the tip scratched Jiorea's scaly skin before she stopped the sword and delivered a swift quick in return. The kick landed hard and Blaine crumpled in half his fall to the ground was preceded by a hard cough. Jiorea moved her sword to Blaine’s throat ready to make her final move, Blaine hated himself for giving her that moment. With his recovery Blaine touched the sword and sent a large shock through the blade. The Saurian’s body twitched involuntarily while Blaine hurried to his feet, without pause he delivered a punch. Jiorea ducked and punched back Blaine ignored the pain and dropped his elbow hard on her face. Jiorea fell to her knee given her already low position, Blaine followed with his sword blocked once again by Jiorea’s. Her dagger quickly swiped and lunged at Blaine desperately trying to have him back off so she can recover. Blaine was relentless however and continued on trying to break through Jiorea’s defenses’ never allowing her back to her feet.

In a foolish move Blaine allowed Jiorea to get a grip on the floor with her feet, before he realized his error Jiorea lunged. The strength from her legs sent her flying fast off the ground gaining more height with every second, tackling Blaine on her way, the two soared in the air before crashing to the ground. They rolled for a moment before both bodies stopped, Jiorea on top of Blaine her quick wit noticing the opportunity raised her dagger. As she attempted to strike Blaine he vanished, the trick was no surprise to Jiorea now and rather than be surprised she got to her feet and quickly leapt into the blinding white surrounding them. Blaine was once again standing in her place, alone and unsure of her location.
Blaine moved into the white also trying to hide his location, he failed. Jiorea landed shortly in front of Blaine without warning, she began launching a flurry of attacks at Blaine, he struggled to keep up with her never mind  counter any. When a chance finally presented itself Blaine took it, and reveled in it. As he launched back his own flurry of attacks, Jiorea moved back and leapt in the air hoping for her sanctuary of snow she sought some respite from the raging battle. To Jiorea's horror The blizzard had lifted during the scuffle and her attempt to evade Blaine failed as he gave chase. His patience was not what it had been and he was desperate for the fight to finish.
Jiorea landed on a nearby ledge and displayed an impressive range of acrobatic skills as she ascended the mountains face using small ledges and other cracks to give her jumps leverage. Blaine following behind by teleporting to where he thought she was next going to appear. Finally he got one right he vented his frustration by punching Jiorea hard in the chest knocking her clean off the mountains wall. As she fell to the ground Blaine appeared beneath her his sword ready and his stare focused on her fall.

Jiorea outstretched her arms and her feathers slowed her descent, She landed a short distance from Blaine. As he foolishly raced toward her she quickly pulled something from a pocket and threw it, Blaine strained to look at the item and noticed it was a small potions vial, he outstretched his hand and the vial veered off to the side. It smashed against a collection of rocks and as it smashed the powder exploded. Blinded by the light neither of the pair noticed the rocks shake loose and come smashing into the bridge they were standing on.
The ground beneath them began to tremble and shake, Blaine knew in that instance what was going to happen as did Jiorea. The two of them quickly ran toward the mountain hoping to reach the end of the bridge in time. As Jiorea overtook Blaine a large piece of the mountain brook loose and began hurtling toward her. As it came closer Blaine teleported over and grabbed her before teleporting the two of them to the mountains cave. When they reappeared Jiorea attempted to stab Blaine with her dagger but this time as she lunged Blaine grabbed her arm harder than before and twisted to the point of breaking, as her sword flailed around Blaine knocked it out her hand with his own before slamming her hard against the caves wall. His eyes were removed of mercy and all she stared back into were cold emotionless eyes the deep blue piercing their way into her. His cold sharp blade pressed against the saurian’s scaled neck and he whispered the words “do you surrender?”

Back at the cliff the two zleet were next to each other and watched as the last of the rocks collapsed to the ground below. Tilah looked on and noticed the pair continue to fight in the mountains cave. "You help your charge too much Tilah." The dark shadow turned to face the other "Anything above giving directions is too much for you." "we have a job to do and you are confusing things. We can not jeopardize things now. I knew it was a mistake letting you guide that one." Tilah moved its gaze from the shadow and back at the cave "thankfully the decision was not yours to make."

Jiorea looked down at the blade and back at Blaine as she looked ready to say no Blaine pushed the blade a little more until a bead of blood began to drip down her neck. At that Jiorea hastily agreed by nodding her head, Blaine gave a sigh of relief and pulled away his sword. “thank you.” he said. Blaine replaced his sword and stood back from the saurian “are you okay?” Jiorea pushed herself off the wall and quickly looked herself over, “Fine considering I just lost.” Tilah appeared beside Blaine and looked down at the tunnel in the cave. “you have won again Blaine it is time to proceed. There is only one way from here.”
Blaine sneered at Tilah and looked down at the tunnel before back at his shadowed guide, “I’m going nowhere until you answer my questions. Why is this island floating and what exactly is down that tunnel?”